Archive for August, 2009

How to be Smarter: “Tea deserves special mention on any list of the world’s healthiest foods. The second most widely consumed beverage in the world (after water), all forms of tea (black, oolong, white, green and the newer Yerba Matte) are loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.” (Source: “Healthiest Foods on Earth,” msn.com).

How to be Prettier: Acid wash jeans are going to be huge for fall. If you can’t get on-board with the pure acid wash, full-on jeans for fall, start with an acid washed jean skirt.

How to be (less) Awkward: Don’t assume people spend their days stalking you on facebook. “Well, I’m sure you saw the pictures of my Alps vacation on facebook…” is not an appropriate way to respond when someone asks you how you are doing. It sounds pretentious.

How to be Smarter: Fun fact to chew on: “McDonald’s has made more millionaires, and especially black and Hispanic millionaires, than any other economic entity ever, anywhere” (source: Washington Post).

How to be Prettier: If you eat too much for dinner, it is a salad for lunch the next day. Simplest diet plan I know; easiest to follow.

How to be (less) Awkward: If you find a hair in your food, assume it is yours; there is also no need for the rest of the table to know about it.

How to be Smarter: There is a lot of emphasis in America on what you do for a job and the way you earn money. But don’t confuse what you do to make money with what you do to make you happy, and don’t let your answer to the question “where do you work?” or “what is your title?” define yourself, for good or for bad.

How to be Prettier: I think it is so beautiful when people wear colors that match their eyes.

How to be (less) Awkward: You are a big girl. Big girls don’t hang up on people when they are mad or being annoying. You say goodbye like a civilized person at all times.

How to be Prettier: The only tip I have for sticking to a workout is buying an ipod and filling it with the kind of songs that you love, and then only allowing yourself to listen to it when you are doing something physical.

How to be (less) Awkward: When you go to someone’s house, plan ahead, feet-wise. If you know it is the kind of house where you have to take off your shoes, either bring socks or make sure you don’t wear shoes on the way over that will make you feet smelly.

How to be Smarter: You know how at work, sometimes people send you emails that are complimentary? You send your boss an update about a project, and he responds with “Great work on this. Keep it up,” or a client tell you she appreciates your “diligent follow-up”? Save those emails in a folder in your inbox, and on days when things are not going your way, flip through it. Call the folder something unassuming, such as “Orientation Materials” or “HR forms.” Calling a folder “Compliments” looks weird when your computer freezes, as it always does, and the strange IT guy remotely logs into your computer and paws through your emails.

How to be Prettier: Studs are huge this fall. Studded shirts, corset belts, and shoes are what everyone is wearing. An example of studded flats I love, but you can find the style for much cheaper.

How to be (less) Awkward: Just because it is too hard to say the words, out loud, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be said. Find a way to email your thoughts, or text them. Thoughts and worries and concerns are always valuable, regardless of the medium in which you say them.